Donations of canned and boxed food items are great for local charities like food banks. But not for Haiti. Just ask yourself how that stuff would get there, and when.

If you want to help, find a relief organization with a good reputation and send money. These people can buy food at lower costs in bulk quantities. And they are getting the rations there now.

People really do underestimate the difficulty of conducting massive rescue and relief efforts. There are millions of people in desperate need. Even as some are being rescued and fed people are dying in large numbers. It will get better but it takes time, even when the whole world is trying to help.

_________________
James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

+1, I come to the strat forum to read about strat stuff, not the B*ll$HIT happening in the world, if I want to see that I'll tune in to the news.

It was only a matter of time before this topic was to invade the strat forum, give it a rest. There is suffering all over the world and alot of it right here in the U.S., Why is the plight of a homeless vet or suffering senior citizen not as important?

The real problem is whether to buy a new custom shop strat or another 57 AVRI Strat. Decisions-Decisions-Decisions

It sucks everywhere, how about this, my parents are in their late 70's, they have worked all their lives, paid taxes, social security, unemployment and everything else. Right now they are on a fixed income, the ONE time they reach out to the government for help, for food stamp assistance, they are told they make $150.00 above the cap for food stamps and don't qualify for assitance. NOW THAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE FOR ME.

The taxes they still pay and the taxes I pay will be used to offset the cost of re-locating the Haitians when they come to the U.S.
Who do you think is going to pay for them to attend our schools, get medical attention and who pays for the 14 Navy ships off the coast of Haiti and the Coast Guard C130's delivering aid, and the 3000 Marines just deployed to Haiti. TAX PAYERS OF THE UNITED STATES, NOT THE RED CROSS OR ANYONE ELSE.

I donated blood at the Red Cross center.

That is least thing I could do. I hope it helps somebody.

Buddy, you think you have it bad. My snowblower won't start. I swear it's got fresh fuel in it. And I changed the plug. I pull and pull and pull on that thing, but all it does is go, "thubabab, thubabub, thubabub". Dang. I kid you not. "Thubabub, thubabub, thubabub".

I'm past my ankles in snow here...I might have to get out the frickin' shovel, cuz there's no way I can clear out my driveway with a snowblower that just goes "thubabub, thubabub, thubabub". And my arm's gettin' sore!

Luckily I'm on the forum where people care and aren't afraid to go off topic ...you know, about things that have nothing to with...ummm....you know...canoe paddles...no...wait....stratocasters!!

To siamese and nicinflorida : this thread is not meant for you two clowns to parade your ideals around. You two deserve everything you get in life. If you have no compassion for the people of Haiti then just stay out of this thread. It's just that simple. You seem like simple minded gents....so that should be easy. I created this out of compassion. If you are so bent out of shape that we are not talking about strats then there are many places I could tell you to go to fulfill that need for you There is no need for disrespect and sarcasm. We are all human. If you would like to start a pro american forum sure. great. go ahead...just make sure you stay out of this one.

TO ANYONE ELSE: There does not need to be a flame war over Haiti on these boards....enough is enough. I understand freedom of speech but C'mon.......COMPASSION!....That is all this is about. Not pro this or pro that or my taxes here or my grandparents taxes there. These people need help. PERIOD. FULL STOP> That's it. If you can't do that then don't do anything and most of all don't comment!

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

Okay, Trauma, who said we have no compassion for the people in Haiti? I don't mind arguing with somebody who may be ill-equipped to support his arguement, but I don't want to be lied about. Even you can do better than that. The point is, this is where people are supposed to discuss Strats. There are many other places where you can discuss Haiti.

Here's the thing. You have a forum where people discuss stamp collecting, and then some guy starts talking about child abuse. If you tell the guy to shut up about child abuse then you get accused of not caring about a child abuse. Gee, that makes a lot of sense.

By your reckoning, it's legit to hijack the forum for...let's see:
Jesus
spouse abuse
Islam
poverty
Tibet
cancer
mom died

Hey, it's gonna be a looooong list of things that are more important than Stratocasters. And anyone who doesn't care how much you care about X is bad, ignorant, stupid, lacks compassion, etc. As opposed to just being someone agrees with the concept that the host of the site described as a place where people go to "shoot the breeze about Stratocasters".

Why do you have to ruin that simple concept?
Why can't you have just a little bit of respect for the concept of topical forums?

I am so tired of people who have to TELL everyone how much they care. I see all the ribbons and crap on the back of the mini-vans so I can see how much they care. I care and I give plenty to my community, but that's my business, and I don't do it to impress anyone. And you won't find me blabbing about it where it doesn't belong.

As said previously. If you feel that a post or 4 on the front page of the forum going off topic is such a no-no. Report it to the mod's. See how much they care and your selfish egotistical opinion matters then.


Siamese you and Nick I suggest you both find a forum that confines to your will. This one obviously doesn't, it's not likely to change anytime soon. The mods seem unwilling to enforce your opinion.

I really think you've undermined your own validity here. As usually objective as I am, I think I'd ignore any advice offered by you two on principle. Let alone offer any to you.

_________________
No no and no

You want strats on this thread ok....I went and played at a rally in Hallandale Beach for the Hatian relief fund and I got to play my strat. I played along with prince's song Money doesn't matter........because right now it doesn't. If you can't do anything else just pick up your strat and play......like I said before....If you can't do anything else grab your strat and play it......even for your own soul......

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

What makes you compassionate guys so nasty? Looks like everyone agrees with you all the time about everything or you call them names, lie about them, and order them off the forum.

Is the need to let others know how compassionate you are and being nasty all from the same gene or what?

everyone please ignore him!....moderators: this is not what this thread is intended for...can you intervene......

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

Who's being nasty?

It's certainly not my fault you lack the intellegence for rational thought to figure out whether a forum of over 250,000 members (that all seem to get along most of the time, despite things being off topic quite frequently) should continue as is. Or comply to your will.

Your obviously not happy with the status quo, as displayed by your prior diatribes. It's not the fault of any member that you lack the savy to suss out that this forum may not be for you.

By the way, I'm not at all compasionate.

_________________
No no and no

Who has lied to you? Tell us all who has lied, or called you hurtful names... or 'ordered' you off the forum... Id like to see what you can bring up

Im compassionate- but im not entirely compassionate either. I dont live in the states like a lot of forum members, so I dont care about your ideas and views on your taxes and other topics you have brought up, and like people from overseas on this forum- I am not pro-american. I would rather care about my own country. Then again, you dont see me complaining about my own taxes etc...

But if trauma wants to share his views, opinions and concerns- as a forum member I will listen to him and give him my respect- mainly because he has earnt it from myself and others. Thats a concept that I believe may indeed be relatively new to you- as after this, I think people will think twice about wanting to interact with you on this forum as a consequence.

_________________

You sir are not worth the time of day to teach humanity to..

It is a shame that it takes a disaster for us to notice our fellow man...But i must agree that the devastation and death on this scale is beyond our understanding as Americans...

I was in Mogadishu and Sierra Leone when i was in the military and a couple other third world countries we have no idea how good we have it...

We should thank what ever we believe in everyday for being in this great country...I guarantee even the one of us who has the least on this forum would be considered rich in some of the places i have been in this world...

this is when i am proud to be an american.
i understand the us govt not helping individuals, that does suck.
however we just cant kick back and simply change the channel.
what if the earthquake was in florida? or texas? or california?

_________________
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008